Scarlet Surprise is an early-season red-fleshed apple. The apples will keep for a week or so, and have a fresh sharp flavour.
Scarlet Surprise apple blossom is a very attractive pink colour.
This is a true red-flesh apple - not only is the flesh pink / red, but the red pigmentation is found in the blossom, leaves, and wood of the tree.
Scarlet Surprise is one of the easier pink-fleshed apple varieties, with generally strong growth and less prone to disease than others, and a reliable annual cropper.
While the vast majority of apples have white or cream-coloured flesh, some varieties have red flesh. Those with the most intense red flesh are usually descended from a red-fleshed crab-apple called Malus niedzetzkyana found in central Asia. The red colouration in this species also extends to the blossom, leaves and young shoots.
Other varieties feature pink flesh or pink / marbled flesh, and these are often more palatable.
The juice of red-fleshed apples is usually light or dark pink, and makes an attractive alternative to regular apple juice.
These varieties are of interest because of their ornamental qualities, and also because the anthocyanin compounds which give the flesh its colour are thought to have anti-oxidant properties.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.